Wednesday of the First week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint Cyprian (c.200-258), Bishop of Carthage and martyr
The Lord's Prayer, 29-30

â€śRising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayedâ€ť

The Lord did not content himself to teach us to pray only with his words, but he also gave us his example. We often see him in prayer; he gives us the example we must follow. It is written: â€śhe went off to a lonely place, in the desert to prayâ€ť. And elsewhere: â€śhe departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to Godâ€ť (Lk 6,12). If already the one who was without sin prayed in this way, all the more reason for us sinners to pray like this. If he spent the night in prayer, all the more reason for us to pray constantly and to be always on watch likewise.

The Lord prayed and interceded, not for himself â€“ for which sin would he, the innocent, need to ask to be forgiven? â€“ but he prayed for our sins. This is proved true when he tells Peter: â€śRemember that Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not failâ€ť (Lk 22,31-32). Later on he prayed the Father for all of us when he says: â€śI pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in youâ€ť (Jn 17,20-21).

Oh, how great are the mercy and goodness of God in favor of our salvation! He did not content himself with redeeming us through his blood but he also wished to pray for us beforehand. But take notice of the desire of him who is praying: that, as the Father and the Son are one, we too may live in unity.